Jessel Innovations have been judged into the top 3 finalists in the Barclay's ‘Take One Small Step’ Competition for Start - up Business or Young Business. Mensan Richard Jessel, runs the business with his wife Anne, which the set up 15 months ago. 

Richard has invented a new concept in letter plate design, the first radical change since the Penny Post in 1840. The ‘Ecoflap’ is an energy efficient, brushless, springless, inside letter flap, which was launched at the Ecobuild Exhibition 2009. More products with the emphasis on energy efficiency thus helping save energy costs are on the drawing board or at prototype stage waiting to launch onto the market. A taste of what is to come is a new design of cat flap and fire door, plus more developments in letter box door systems and others. 

Talking about the creation of the product Richard said
‘believe it or not, the new concept in letter box design originated from my thoughts of a draught proof, non rattling cat flap! I was so irritated by the constant rattling and blowing of the existing cat flap, and had had innumerable breakages. I made a prototype or two, and then when another piece of crumpled mail came through the letter box I thought...could my ideas be converted to a letter box flap? and so developments leading up to Ecoflap were born, first as a complete letter box system prototype, but...as it was such a radical change from the ‘norm’ then developments started within the patent criteria to produce it as an interior letter plate. The rest will follow!’ 

Anne Jessel, the Marketing and Sales Partner, who entered the competition, is passionate about winning to enable these products to penetrate the market quicker and thus benefit the consumer market offering inexpensive energy efficient solutions for the home, community...and for the pet! The entry was one of 371 entrants from the South West Region, and Jessel Innovations - inventors of "Ecoflap" are hoping and working hard to secure the Winner’s Prize of £50,000 to help expand the Business. 

Jessel Innovations are looking for votes in the competition, please visit their product webpage at Take One Small Step if you would like to show your support. Voting closes on Sunday 4 July.

For more information on the product and company please visit ecoflap.co.uk.